Trump Imposes Sanctions on ICC Officials in New Executive Order
In a fresh move to solidify his stance on global issues, United States President Donald Trump has imposed sanctions on officials of the International Criminal Court (ICC), citing what he has called "obstruction of justice" and "irresponsible" actions by the ICC.
On Thursday, the White House released a new executive order, effective immediately, which targets top officials at the ICC, including its chief prosecutor, Fatou Bensouda, and the president of its Assembly of States Parties, O-Gon Kwon. The move is seen as a drastic step to punish the ICC for its efforts to investigate alleged war crimes committed by American troops in Afghanistan.
According to the White House, the ICC’s investigations are a "strategic mistake" and are a threat to international order. The move is aimed at "protecting American interests, troops, and their families" from what the administration sees as unfair and politically motivated charges.
The executive order, officially titled "Blocking Property of Certain Persons Associated with the International Criminal Court," empowers the U.S. Secretary of State to freeze the assets of ICC officials and ban them from entering the United States. It also prohibits U.S. institutions and U.S. citizens from engaging in financial transactions with the targeted individuals.
The move has sparked widespread condemnation from human rights groups, international lawyers, and critics of the Trump administration, who have accused the president of attempting to undermine the rule of law and bypass the principles of international justice.
"These executive orders are a blatant attempt to intimidate and silence those working to hold the United States accountable for its actions abroad," said Human Rights Watch’s Executive Director, Kenneth Roth. "The Trump administration’s use of sanctions to pressure the ICC will only lead to further polarization and undermine efforts to ensure international justice."
The ICC, based in The Hague, Netherlands, was established in 2002 to investigate and prosecute crimes of genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. The court has investigated and prosecuted officials from various countries, including Sudan, Libya, and Kenya.
The latest move comes after the ICC announced in November that it had launched an investigation into alleged war crimes in Afghanistan, including the thousands of civilian casualties caused by U.S. military operations. The court has also launched an investigation into alleged atrocities committed by U.S. forces in Iraq.
The executive order is seen as a clear attempt to discredit the ICC and undermine its authority, mirroring similar moves taken by other countries, including the United States, under the 2002 American Service Members’ Protection Act (AMPSA).
The AMPSA, which was signed into law by President George W. Bush, prohibiting U.S. cooperation with the ICC and threatening sanctions against countries that cooperate with the court, remains in place to this day.
Critics of the executive order warn that the move will not only damage the ICC’s credibility but also lead to a global backlash, as other countries may follow the United States’ lead in rejecting international justice mechanisms.
As the world watches, the drama unfolds, it remains to be seen whether the Trump administration’s move will have any lasting impact on the ICC or the pursuit of justice globally.
